Bengal swelters at around 40°C, no respite for next 48 hours

Kolkata: Scattered rainfall in some parts of the city and districts might have given temporary relief to the residents but there are no predictions of monsoon rain in the South Bengal districts in the next 48 hours.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore said the temperature in the city may go up by a few notches on Monday.

There is no relief from the heat and discomfort for the people as the monsoon current has been halted. North Bengal districts will, however, receive moderate to heavy rainfall while the city dwellers will face scorching summer heat.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore has issued a heat wave warning for the city and some of the South Bengal districts for the next 48 hours.

According to the weather office, the traditional hot belt of Bankura, Purulia and some parts of Burdwan are likely to see a further rise in the temperature. The discomfort level may prevail through the next two days.

Following the alert issued by the weather office, the city doctors have advised to take adequate water and asked people not to walk in the sun without any protection for a long time and avoid direct sun light. People are also asked to wear cotton dresses.

The doctors also advised people to use sunglasses, caps and umbrellas while in the sun. People are also advised to avoid outside food.

There was scattered rainfall in the city and some of the South Bengal districts on Sunday afternoon. The rains had brought some relief for the people but the overall condition of weather remained unchanged.

According to a weather expert, the scorching westerly winds from the Northern states are bringing in the heat wave condition in the state. The impact of the westerly winds is high as the monsoon currents remained stalled.

Kolkata has not recorded such warm days during this part of the year even after the onset of monsoon.

This is considered to be a significant change in the usual weather pattern of the region, an official of the Met office said.

The weather office said that due to weak monsoon flow and prevailing strong west to north-westerly wind in low levels, moderate heat wave condition is likely to prevail over the districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata in next two days.

Due to the monsoon currents getting stalled, the condition remains dry. According to the weather office, the temperature in some of the South Bengal districts will hover around 40 degree celsius. The relative humidity will also remain over 80 percent, a weather official said.

When the city dwellers are witnessing a heat wave condition and discomfort weather, there is a prediction of rain in North Bengal districts in the next 48 hours. People in North Bengal, however, experienced a comfortable weather on Sunday and witnessed rains

in some parts.